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Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
04:11

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA

Published on: December 15, 2023

Impact of comorbidities on the severity of chronic hepatitis B at presentation

Evangelista Sagnelli1, Tommaso Stroffolini, Alfonso Mele

  • 1Department of Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Second University of Naples, 80132 Naples, Italy. evangelista.sagnelli@unina2.it

World Journal of Gastroenterology
|April 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Older age, hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection, and alcohol abuse significantly increase the risk of severe liver disease in chronic hepatitis B patients. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection plays a lesser role.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a significant global health concern.
  • Co-infections and lifestyle factors can influence the clinical presentation and severity of CHB.
  • Understanding these cofactors is crucial for effective patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the clinical relevance of various cofactors in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
  • To identify independent predictors of severe liver disease in CHB patients.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 1366 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive individuals was analyzed.
  • Patients were categorized based on cofactors: hepatitis D virus (HDV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), alcohol abuse, multiple cofactors, or cofactor-free (CF).
  • Clinical data, including age, geographic residence, and presence of cirrhosis, were compared across groups using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Main Results:

  • Alcohol abuse and HDV infection were associated with older age and higher rates of cirrhosis compared to the CF group.
  • HCV infection was also linked to older age and cirrhosis.
  • Multivariate analysis confirmed older age, heavy alcohol consumption (>8 drinks/day), and HDV positivity as independent predictors of liver cirrhosis. HCV positivity was not an independent predictor in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

  • Older age, HDV infection, and alcohol abuse are key determinants of severe liver disease in chronic HBV infection.
  • HCV replication appears to have a less significant role in the severity of liver damage compared to HDV and alcohol abuse.
Abstract

Keywords:
Alcohol abuseChronic hepatitis BHepatitis B virus/hepatitis C virus dual infectionHepatitis B virus/hepatitis D virus dual infection

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